Masking fluid applicator

ABSTRACT

A masking fluid applicator comprising, a hollow elongated barrel with masking fluid therein, an elongated applicator in the barrel with a free end portion, means on said free end portion to retain only an amount of masking fluid on the free end portion of the applicator sufficient to mask a character of type or print or the like, and means in the barrel so constructed and arranged as to limit application of said masking fluid only to the free end portion of said elongated applicator.

United States Patent [191 Kloosterhouse MASKING FLUID APPLICATOR [75]Inventor: George Kloosterhouse, Tantallon,

[73] Assignee: Wite Out Products, Inc., Beltsville,

[22] Filed: July 10, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 487,246

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 364,292, May 29,1973, Pat. No.

[52] US. Cl. 401/263; 401/266; 222/358 [51] Int. Cl. B43K 5/16 [58]Field of Search 401/258, 261, 109-112,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,643,801 6/1953 Kollmeyer401/258 X 3,558,235 1/1971 Bok 401/258 [4 1 Oct. 28, 1975 FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,075,981 2/1960 Germany 401/109 1,461,59711/1963 Germany 401/110 Primary Examiner-Lawrence Charles I Attorney,Agent, or FirmShoemaker and Mattare,

Ltd.

[57] ABSTRACT A masking fluid applicator comprising, a hollow elongatedbarrel with masking fluid therein, an elongated applicator in the barrelwith a free end portion. means on said free end portion to retain onlyan amount of masking fluid on the free end portion of the applicatorsufficient to mask a character of type or print or the like, and meansin the barrel so constructed and arranged as to limit application ofsaid masking fluid only to the free end portion of said elongatedapplicator.

7 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures -IIJ7IIIIIIIIII.III II// US. Patent'octtzs, 1975 Sheet 1'of2 US. Patent Oct. 28, 1975 Sheet2of2 3,915,578

a W F 5 IA-II;

MASKING FLUID APPLICATOR This is a divisison, of application Ser. No.364,292 filed May 29, 1973, now US. Pat. No. 3,829,224.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an applicatormeans for applying an amount of masking fluid to a character of type orprint or the like in a quantity sufficient only to blot out or mask thecharacter.

There are several different types of conventional masking fluidapplicators for applying a masking fluid to a character to blot out ormask the character, but such conventional applicators have severalserious drawbacks. For example, one conventional applicator comprises asmall brush which is adapted to be immersed in a masking fluid forretaining or picking up a quantity of masking fluid on the bristles ofthe brush, which masking fluid is'then applied to a character or thelike to blot out or mask the character. This type of applicator isrelatively difficult to use since the amount of masking fluid retainedon the bristles for application to a character cannot be accuratelyregulated, and consequently, either an excessive amount of masking fluidis applied to the character resulting in an unsigntly appearance, or theexcess masking fluid must be wiped off the brush applicator prior toapplication of the fluid remaining on the brush to a character. Thisresults in a wasteful and time consuming procedure for maskingcharacters and a substantially increased cost to the user.

In other conventional masking fluid applicators, the masking fluid comesin contact with operating means for the applicator and quickly renderssuch devices inoperable when the fluid dries or hardens in theapplicator.

In the present invention, a hollow elongate barrel is provided havingmeans therein for containing an amount of masking fluid within thebarrel and an elongated applicator with a free end is positioned withinthe barrel in operative cooperation with means in the barrel forlimiting the application of masking fluid to only the free end portionof the elongated applicator, and the free end of the applicator hasmeans limiting the amount of masking fluid retained on the free end toonly an amount sufficient to mask a character or the like, the maskingfluid being confined to the free end portion of the applicator to avoidwaste of the masking fluid and to prevent the masking fluid fromcontacting operating means for the applicator and thus rendering itinoperative. Moreover, the masking fluid used in the applicator of theinvention has a consistency or viscosity such that, in cooperation withthe means on the free ;end of the applicator, only the proper amount offluid is retained on the applicator, and the masking fluid isrewettable, so that as the applicator is repositioned in the barrelafter each use thereof, mny fluid remaining on the applicator isdissolved by the fluid in the barrel, and accumulation or hardening offluid on the applicator is thus avoided.

The applicator according to the present invention is thus reliable inoperation and is accurate and economical since only the amount ofmasking fluid necessary to mask the character is deposited or leftremaining on the OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of thisinvention to provide a masking fluid applicator which is economical tomake and is simple and reliable in operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a masking fluidapplicator which is accurate and easy to use, the amount of fluidretained on the applicator for blotting out or masking a character beingsubstantially the same each time.

A further object of this invention is to provide a masking fluidapplicator wherein means are provided for applying an amount of maskingfluid to an extreme or free end portion only of the applicator in aquantity sufficient only to blot out a character or the like.

An even further object of this invention is to provide a masking fluidapplicator as aforesaid which is thrown away after the supply of maskingfluid contained therein is. exhausted, and wherein the masking fluidused in the applicator is rewettable to prevent accumulation orhardening of masking fluid on the applicator as it is used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a greatly enlarged sectionalview in elevation of a first form of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view in elevation of a portion of the operatingmechanism for projecting and retracting the applicator out of and intothe barrel in the first form of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view in elevationof an end portion of the first form of applicator showing the manner inwhich the applicator is extended through a wiping means or opening forlimiting the application of masking fluid to the extreme or free endonly of the applicator and in an amount sufficient only to blot out ormask a. character.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 44 in FIG. 1. a

FIG. 5 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary view in elevation of anapplicator tip or free end according to the invention, showing theconstruction of the free end of the applicator which insures retentionof an amount of masking fluid thereon sufficient only to blot out ormask a character.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a second form of theinvention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view of a portionof the applicator shown in FIG. 7, with the extreme or free end portionof the applicator retracted from the means within the barrel forlimiting the application of masking fluid to only the extreme or freeend portion of the applicator.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged, part sectional view of a third form of theinvention.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of a portion of the operating mechanism forthe applicator shown in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the drawings, wherein likereference numerals indicatelike parts throughout the several views, afirst form of masking fluid applicator according to the invention isindicated generally at 10 in FIG. 1. The applicator l0 comprises anelongate tubular housing or barrel 1] having a hollow upper portion 12with a closed end 13 and an open end 14. A generally 2- shaped openingor slot is in one side of the upper portion 12 adjacent the closed end13 thereof and an enlarged diameter recess.16 is formed at the open end14 thereof.

The barrel 11 also includes a lower portion 17 having a substantiallysolid upper half or end 18 and a hollow lower half or end 19. An axiallyextending, reduced diameter projection 20 is on the upper end 18 and theprojection is suitably secured in the recess 16 in the upper barrelportion 12, as with an adhesive, or a sonic weld or the like. The lower,hollow half 19 of lower barrel portion 17 is gradually tapered inwardlyto an open, lower, pointed end 21, so that the applicator may beaccurately positioned relative to a character to be blotted or maskedout with masking fluid. A chamber 22 is in the hollow lower portion 19,containing a quantity of masking fluid F therein.

A cap or plug 23 is secured to the pointed end 21 of lower portion 19and has an annular, upstanding wall 24 thereon fitted with in acylindrical bore portion 25 in the pointed end 21, and suitably securedthereto as with an adhesive or a sonic weld or the like. The cap 23 hasa stepped diameter bore therethrough, including a centrally locatedaperture 26 at the lower end thereof and enlarged diameter portions 27and 28. The aperture 26 and bore portion 27 define an axially upwardlyfacing shoulder or wiping edge 29.

A central guide bore 30 extends longitudinally through the upper half 18of lower barrel portion 17 and an elongated masking fluid applicatingmember 31 is slidably received through the bore 30. The masking fluidapplicating member 31 extends upwardly beyond the upper end of lowerbarrel portion 17 and coaxially within upper barrel portion 12 anddefines an actuating member 32 having a right angularly extendingportion or actuator 33 extended outwardly through the Z- shaped opening15 in the side of upper portion 12 for access exteriorly of the barrelto operate the applicator 31. A coil compression spring 34 is fittedcoaxially around actuating portion 32 and is disposed between the upperend 20 of lower barrel portion 17 and a pair of oppositely directed earsor lugs 35 approximately midway of the ends of actuating portion 32.

A relatively thin, elongated masking fluid applicator 36, of reduceddiameter relative to the actuator portion 32, extends downwardldy fromadjacent the lower end of bore 30 to a position normally disposed justabove the shoulder 29 and bore 26 through cap 23. This is the retractedposition of the applicator and the applicator 36 is disposed entirelywithin the masking fluid F, with a small portion of the masking fluid Fdisposed below the extreme or free end 37 of applicator 36 adjacent theopening into bore 26. The free end 37 of applicator 36 is substantiallyhemispherical and is suitably roughened, as by chemical etching ormechanical abrasion, to define a plurality of small, fibre-likeprojections 38 on the free end 37 of the applicator, the projections 38collecting and holding an amount of masking fluid F on the end of theapplicator sufficient only to blot out or mask a character.

When the applicator 36 is projected through the bore 26 by means of theactuator 32, 33, the extreme or free end 37 pushes a small film or dab39 of the masking fluid through the bore 26, and the shoulder 29 at theentrance to bore 26 wipes excess masking fluid F from the surface ofapplicator 36 as indicated in dotted lines at 40 in FIG. 3, and thusprevents the masking fluid from entering into the bore 26 and eventuallyclogging up and rendering the applicator inoperative. Further, the fitof the actuating portion 32 within guide bore 30, is such that noleakage of the masking fluid occurs along the applicator member 31 intocontact with the actuating portion 32.

By way of specific example, the masking fluid applicator 10 isappproximately S to 6 inches long and onehalf-inch in diameter.Approximately one-fourth of a fluid ounce of masking fluid F iscontained within the chamber 22 and the elongated, thin applicator 36 isapproximately one-sixteenth of an inch in diameter and is preferablyformed of plastis or the like. The diameter of applicator 36 and thesize of the projections 38 is determined such as to retain apredetermined quantity of masking fluid 39 on the extreme end 37 thereofsufficient just to blot out or mask a character or the like without anyexcess fluid being applied to the character or otherwise wasted.

The wiping action or bore 26 and shoulder 29 on the applicator 36removes excess fluid from the end and thus prevents the fluid frombuilding up within bore 26 and eventually hardening therein and thusrendering the masking fluid applicator inoperative.

The applicator barrel or housing portions are preferably formed of asuitable plastic material and once the supply of fluid F within chamber22 is exhausted, the masking fluid aaplicator is thrown away.

A second form of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, andin this form of the invention, the making fluid applicator is indicatedgenerally at 41 and comprises an upper tubular portion 42 and a lowertubular portion 43. The upper tubular portion includes an enlarged,generally square shaped end portion 44 and a cylindrical, reduceddiameter portion 45, having a hollowed out cavity 46 in the lower endthereof and extending the major portion of the length of tubular portion42. An enlongated masking fluid applicator 47 is formed integrally withtubular portion 42 and projects axially thereof through an open end 48of the tubular portion 42.

A relatively short, reduced diameter masking fluid applicator tip 49extends coaxially from the lower end of applicator 47 and terminates atthe point spaced substantially outwardly of opening 48. The applicatortip 49 terminates in a free end 50, which is identical to the free end37 of applicator 36. The lower, open end 48 of the tubular portion 42has an enlarged diameter recess 51 therein, defining an axiallyoutwardly facing shoulder 52.

The lower tubular portion 43 includes a relatively thin, cylindricalwall 53 having a generally square shaped end cap 54 closing the lowerend thereof and a wall or plug 55, having a conically shaped opening 56therethrough, terminating in an aperture 57 at the bottom surface 58 ofthe plug 55, is fixedly mounted within tubular portion 53 approximatelymidway the ends thereof and defines with the tubular wall 53 and the endcap 54 a hollow chamber 59 containing a quantity of masking fluid Ftherein. The cap 54 is permanently sealed on the end of the applicatorafter the masking fluid F is placed in chamber 59 through the open endof tubular portion 53. The upper end 60 of tubular portion 53 isslidably fitted within the diametrically enlarged portion 51 at the openend 48 of tubular portion 42 and against the shoulder 52, which servesas a stop,

and the two portions 42 and 43 are normally maintained in the positionshown in FIG. 7 by the frictional engagement between the adjacent endportions 48 and 60 thereof.

Engagement between end 60 and shoulder 52 limits the relative axialposition of tubular portions 42 and 43 toward one another and isselected such that the extreme or free end portion 50 only of maskingfluid applicator tip 49 is disposed substantially in the plane of thebottom surface 58 of wall or plug 55 and is in contact with the fluid Fcontained within chamber 59. The frusto-conicalopening 56 guides the tip49 into the aperture 57.

When the two tubular portions 42 and 43 are separated, the masking fluidapplicator 49 is withdrawn from opening 57 and a dab or film 61 ofmasking fluid F is retained on the extreme end 50 thereof in a quantitysufficient to blot out or mask a character or the like.

By way of specific example, the masking fluid applicator illustrated inFIGS. 6, 7 and 8 is approximately 2 inches in length and the ends 44 and54 are approximately 1 inch square. The chamber 59 holds approximatelyone-fourth of a fluid ounce of masking fluid, and the applicator tip 49is approximately onesixteenth of an inch in diameter and is preferablyformed of plastic, with the roughened end 50 as in FIGS. 1-5.

In FIGS. 9 and 10, a third form of the invention is illustrated, and inthis form of the invention, the masking fluid applicator is identical inevery respect with the applicator shown in FIG. 1 with the exception ofthe actuator means.

In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the masking fluidapplicator is indicated generally at and has an upper portion 11' and alower portion 17 with a pointed end 23. The upper portion 11 contains apush plunger project-retract mechanism 62, wherein an elongated plungeroperator 63 extends axially upwardly through an opening 64 in the upperend of upper barrel portion 11. The plunger operator 63 has an enlargeddiameter tubulal lower portion 65 with a plurality of teeth 66 arrangedabout the lower marginal edge thereof and an internal bore 67 therein. Arotating shaft mechanism 68 includes an axially extending tubular part69 slidably and rotatably fitted within bore 67 of plunger operator 63and has a plurality of teeth 70 arranged around the lower marginal edgethereof. An internal bore 71 extends through the lower end of rotatingshaft mechanism 68 and terminates at .an upper closed end 72.

A masking fluid applicator 31 includes an axially extending upperactuating end 32 received within the bore 71 in tubular part 69 ofrotating shaft mechanism 68, and has projecting ears or lugs 35 and acoil spring 34 as in the FIG. 1 embodiment.

A plurality of grooves 73 are in the inside surface of the upper barrelportion 11' in a position to cooperate with the teeth 66 and 70 on pushplunger mechanism 62 and rotating shaft mechanism 68, respectively,whereby upon actuation of the plunger 63 the applica tor 31 is projecteddown through bore 30 in lower barrel portion 17, as in the FIG. 1embodiment, to obtain a quantity of masking fluid for masking acharacter or the like.

The specific manner of operation of the operating mechanism is the sameas a conventional hall point pen actuator and is more fully described inU.S. Pat. No.

The masking fluid F in each of the above-described forms of theinvention has a viscosity and consistency such that it will not flowthrough the openings and out of the masking fluid applicator when theapplicator is tipped or overturned, and such that in cooperation withthe roughened end of the applicator, only an amount of sufficient toblot out or mask a character is retained on the free end of theapplicator. Further, the masking fluid is a water base, rewettable fluidsuch that, in use, when the applicator is returned into the barrel intocontact wit the masking fluid therein, any masking fluid remaining onthe applicator is rewet, or dissolved, and accordingly, there is nobuild up or accumulation of fluid on the applicator tip or other partsof the device As this invention may be embodied in several forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, thepresent embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, sincethe scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather thanby the description preceding them, and all changes that fall within themetes and bounds of the claims or that form their functional as well asconjointly cooperative equivalents, are therefore intended to beembraced by those claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A masking fluid applicator comprising a hollow elongated barrelhaving an opening through one end thereof and means therein defining achamber at said one end of the barrel in fluid communication with thesaid opening, a quantity of rewettable masking fluid in said chamber,the viscosity of the masking fluid and size of the opening being relatedsuch that the fluid does not flow freely out of said opening, anelongated applicator in the barrel and extending through the chamber andmasking fluid and having a free end portion normally disposed adjacentsaid opening within said chamber, said applicator being reciprocable insaid barrel to project said free end portion outwardly through saidopening, actuator means connected with the applicator to reciprocate itin the barrel, and an axially inwardly facing wiping shoulder in thebarrel defining a reduced diameter portion of said opening through whichthe applicator is closely slidably received when extended such thatexcess masking fluid is wiped from the sides of the applicator and onlya thin film of masking fluid is applied to the free end of saidelongated applicator when the free end of the: applicator is retractedinto said chamber, and said free end being roughened to limit thequantity of masking fluid retained thereon to an amount sufficient onlyto blot or mask a character or the like when the free end is projectedout through said opening.

2. A masking fluid applicator as in claim 1, wherein said applicatorbarrel is approximately 6 inches long and one-half inch thick, and said.applicator has a diameter of approximately one-sixteenth of an inch.

3. A masking fluid applicator as in claim 1, wherein said free endportion of said elongated applicator has a rounded configuration.

4. A masking fluid applicator as in claim 1, wherein said barrelcomprises first and second tubular portions permanently joined togetherat adjacent ends thereof, one of said portions containing said maskingfluid therein and having said opening and wiping shoulder at one endthereof, said masking fluid applicator extending through said maskingfluid to adjacent said opening in said one end of said one tubularportion, and said actuating means being in the other of said portionsfor projecting and retracting said elongated applicator through saidopening.

5. A masking fluid applicator as in claim 4, wherein a separate capmeans is secured in said one end of said one portion, said cap meanshaving said opening and wiping shoulder therein.

6. A masking fluid applicator as in claim 4, wherein said one tubularportion is gradually and smoothly tapered from approximately itsmid-portion thereof toward said one ene thereof.

7. A masking fluid applicator as in claim 6, wherein said one tubularportion is substantially solid from ap-

1. A masking fluid applicator comprising a hollow elongated barrelhaving an opening through one end thereof and means therein defining achamber at said one end of the barrel in fluid communication with thesaid opening, a quantity of rewettable masking fluid in said chamber,the viscosity of the masking fluid and size of the opening being relatedsuch that the fluid does not flow freely out of said opening, anelongated applicator in the barrel and extending through the chamber andmasking fluid and having a free end portion normally disposed adjacentsaid opening within said chamber, said applicator being reciprocable insaid barrel to project said free end portion outwardly through saidopening, actuator Means connected with the applicator to reciprocate itin the barrel, and an axially inwardly facing wiping shoulder in thebarrel defining a reduced diameter portion of said opening through whichthe applicator is closely slidably received when extended such thatexcess masking fluid is wiped from the sides of the applicator and onlya thin film of masking fluid is applied to the free end of saidelongated applicator when the free end of the applicator is retractedinto said chamber, and said free end being roughened to limit thequantity of masking fluid retained thereon to an amount sufficient onlyto blot or mask a character or the like when the free end is projectedout through said opening.
 2. A masking fluid applicator as in claim 1,wherein said applicator barrel is approximately 6 inches long andone-half inch thick, and said applicator has a diameter of approximatelyone-sixteenth of an inch.
 3. A masking fluid applicator as in claim 1,wherein said free end portion of said elongated applicator has a roundedconfiguration.
 4. A masking fluid applicator as in claim 1, wherein saidbarrel comprises first and second tubular portions permanently joinedtogether at adjacent ends thereof, one of said portions containing saidmasking fluid therein and having said opening and wiping shoulder at oneend thereof, said masking fluid applicator extending through saidmasking fluid to adjacent said opening in said one end of said onetubular portion, and said actuating means being in the other of saidportions for projecting and retracting said elongated applicator throughsaid opening.
 5. A masking fluid applicator as in claim 4, wherein aseparate cap means is secured in said one end of said one portion, saidcap means having said opening and wiping shoulder therein.
 6. A maskingfluid applicator as in claim 4, wherein said one tubular portion isgradually and smoothly tapered from approximately its mid-portionthereof toward said one end thereof.
 7. A masking fluid applicator as inclaim 6, wherein said one tubular portion is substantially solid fromapproximately its mid-portion thereof to the other end thereof, and thesolid portion has a longitudinally extending bore therethrough in whichthe applicator is slidably received for guided movement relative to theopening in said one end of said one tubular portion, said applicatorextending through said longitudinally extending bore and beyond saidsolid end into said other tubular portion, and said actuator meanscomprising a laterally extending projection at the end of saidapplicator which extends into said other tubular portion, said laterallyextending portion projecting through an opening in the side of saidother tubular portion.